African Servals On The Loose In Qualicum Beach

Residents in Qualicum Beach remain on edge, as an escaped African serval cat remains on the loose.

Residents in Qualicum Beach remain on edge, as an escaped African serval cat remains on the loose.

The cat - and her male partner - escaped from their enclosure on Sunday.

Their owners believe someone let the cats loose in an attempt to steal the animals - worth about $200,000 each - or simply set them free.

While the male has been captured and is back home, the female, who is pregnant, is still out there.

The BC SPCA says the servals have killed at least one domestic cat, with residents worried about their kids walking to school, or for smaller pets out for a walk.

Servals are not regulated under Controlled Alien Species regulations, meaning they can be lawfully owned as pets in B.C.

The BC SPCA has been pushing for exotic pet laws which would keep people from owning the animals.